Gilmore, ignorant as he is of Laura’s secret, was not to blame for feeling surprised that she should repent of her marriage engagement? Anyone else in his place would have shared our good old friend’s opinion. If I were asked, at this moment, to say plainly what defects I have discovered in Sir Percival, I could only point out two. One, his incessant restlessness and excitability⁠—which may be caused, naturally enough, by unusual energy of character. The other, his short, sharp, ill-tempered manner of speaking to the servants⁠—which may be only a bad habit after all. No, I cannot dispute it, and I will not dispute it⁠—Sir Percival is a very handsome and a very agreeable man. There! I have written it down at last, and I am glad it’s over.